12. INDRA, friend of man, mount the horses whom you cherish, who are fleet as the wind, are easily yoked, and who bear (their burthen) well. You have sharpened the foe-destroying thunderbolt, the slayer of VRITRA, which inspiring (weapon) USANAS, the son of KAVI, gave you.

13. Stop, SÚRA," your yellow horses; for this ETASA, INDRA, drags the wheel. Having driven those who offer no sacrifice, to the opposite bank of the ninety rivers, you compel them (to do) what is to be done.

14. INDRA, bearer of the thunderbolt, preserve us from this (poverty) that is so difficult to be destroyed, and from misfortune in war; grant us riches, conspicuous for chariots, remarkable for horses, for the sake of food, of fame, and of truth.

15. Famous for affluence, INDRA, never may thy favour be withdrawn from us: may food ever sustain Opulent MAGHAVAN, make us possessors of cattle; and may we, most assiduous in thy adoration, be happy, together (with our families).

us.

a This is an unusual attribution to Uśanas, and rather incompatible with the statement of its having been the gift of Ribhu. b Súra, that is, Indra, as the Sun.

c Etaśa is said to be the name of one of the horses of the Sun. The word occurs, in the Aitareya Bráhmaña, as that of a Rishi. d Návyánám,' of navigable rivers,' or of such as must be crossed by a boat.

END OF THE FIRST ASHTAKA.